Chelmsley Wood councillor announces Mayoral bid

IN THE RUNNING: James Burn was elected to represent Chelmsley Wood
in 2014 and is now bidding to become West Midlands Mayor

A CHELMSLEY Wood councillor has been chosen as the Green Party's candidate in the race to become the Mayor of the West Midlands.
Coun James Burn, who leads the Green group on Solihull Council, announced he would be standing earlier today.
If he wins the contest, he said that creating jobs and investing in up-and-coming industries to strengthen the local economy will be among his priorities.
"Many communities across the West Midlands have been left behind, and current...plans won't change that," said Coun Burn.
"If elected, I will invest more in those places and connect people to good jobs, decent wages, and chances to get on."
Whoever is elected as Mayor next May will head up the West Midlands Combined Authority, a new body set to be handed considerable powers by central government.
In fact Coun Burn and party colleagues are concerned about the arrangements being put in place, believing that they are far less democratic than those which were previously implemented in London.
In the capital, the Mayor is responsible for housing, transport and other key policy areas, but is held to account by an elected Assembly.
The Greens are concerned that no similar body will exist to scrutinise the workings of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Other candidates confirmed as standing including former Erdington MP Sion Simon, who has been selected as Labour's candidate, and John Lewis boss Andy Street, who will be representing the Conservatives. The Lib Dems have pinned their hopes on businesswoman Beverley Nielsen.